I hope this isn't against the board rules.

I graduated with a B.S. in Finance from CSULB this past May, 2010. I have 2 semesters of (unpaid) internship experience at MGM Studios, Inc. I am currently just working a minimum wage job (retail sales) which I had been with through out my academic career. Major GPA: 3.55.

Well since then, I have been to many interviews (some on my own and some through recruiters), but still nothing . I have been networking and sending out resumes with cover letters and the works, but still no cigar. I am preferably looking for an entry-level analyst position (financial reporting, annual budgeting, etc.) or something similar. The biggest problem is, everyone wants someone they don't have to train! This even includes entry-level positions, which are already so scarce these days. Clearly an employer's market I know.

I know it's really not a good time to be a recent college grad in this economy, especially in California! But I thought this might be a good way to reach out to possibly get something going! If you know of any open positions within your company or know someone that's looking for a entry-level candidate, you are more than welcome to let me know! Or if you have any advice or ideas for me, I would love to hear them.

Also, wasn't there some "finding a job in SoCal" networking thread a while ago? I tried searching it but no luck

Any help appreciated thanks

 

No leads from MGM after the internships? That's how a lot of recent graduates obtain jobs right out of college. It's how I did it and so did many of my friends.

Are you open to relocating? San Francisco area had a ton of openings for Financial Analyst positions both in Accounting/Finance the last time I spoke with some colleagues.

I do agree with you that it is a tough time to look for jobs but from your post you mention that you had a few interviews but nothing. Maybe it has something to do with your interviewing skills or how you present yourself? How do you feel overall after leaving your interview? It went ok? I nailed it? I did poorly? If you are getting interviews and aren't getting jobs I would highly suggest having someone critique the way you carry yourself during a mock interview. On the bright side, be happy you are getting interviews, a lot of people I know haven't heard back from anyone for interviews for 9 months.

 

Thanks for the reply

Actually, MGM is running through a major budget crisis (they are actually looking for a buyer to buy their company out), so if anything they are laying off workers. My managers told me that they would have given me a position on the spot if there was any, and told me they would contact me if any opportunity somehow comes up. I keep in touch with them often though.

And as far as relocating is concerned, I would be willing to do that if it's a job that pays enough for me to at least live in a 1-bedroom apartment. Knowing how expensive San Fransisco already is, a job of which pays around 38K-45K will get me by realistically speaking.

And you are right, there are a lot of Financial Analyst positions out there. But unfortunately from my experience, if there are 100 Financial Analyst positions out there, at least 95 of them require at least 2 years of experience, which eliminates me automatically. But if you happen to know of anyone accepting a new grad for a Financial Analyst position in San Fransisco, I'll be more than happy to fly out over there to interview

As far as interviews go, I honestly feel I nail all of them. I mean I used to be nervous in my first couple ones, but now I don't even feel nervous. I research the company, ask good questions come question time, make lots of eye contact, smile, send a thank-you email, etc. Most importantly, I justify how my skills and experience relate to the position and why I am fit for the job. I have probably been to around 10 in-person interviews and had 2 telephone interviews. Yes I consider my self fortunate to actually have gone to interviews! If it wasn't for my internship experience, I don't think anyone would call me even for a phone screening.

All the reasons for me not getting the position are the same: "We picked a candidate with more prior experience", which is something I simply can't compete with . But thanks for the interviewing input. I'll evaluate on it and see if I can do anything else that can set me apart from the rest of the candidates.

 

sending pm, company may be opening up one more position in a month or two. I will be posting on s2ki the full post when I get the go-ahead from my management.

Also, yea I have to say that if you're getting interviews, something must be going right with your resume and your experience/school work. Congrats on nailing that at least =p

And gj sending thank you letters and researching the company. I did the interviews/HR stuff the last time we picked up an intern and it was just filled with people who were completely lost in the whole interview process.

Also, 38-45k will not get u by in San Fran. I mean, you should definitely take ANYTHING in the industry you can get right now, but I have friends that live up in Nor Cal and that just isn't enough to live in San Fran. You will have to commute from very far away and avoid all extra expenses if you want to work up there.

Lastly, don't give up. I graduated in 08 when Lehman Bros and Bear Sterns went under. I put out a total of roughly 100 resumes/applications before I had even graduated and another 250 over the course of 6 months after graduating. It was one of the most frustrating points in my life, but in the end things worked out. I hope they do for you too.

Good Luck!

 

:sigh: At least you've got some good skills. I graduated in hospitality management and am just working front desk. It doesn't suck because it pays the bills and I'm grateful I even got a job with no experience, but it most certainly isn't the glamorous lifestyle I was dreaming about.

I'm going back to school.

 

WWW.KP.org

An entry level would be something like a project specialist/associate cost analyst.

While most jobs say they require 2 years, I feel thats more of a "weeding out" process.
If you can nail your interviews, you will not have a problem getting a job...it may take some time though.

 

MGM - just filed a prepackaged bankruptcy plan this weekend.

My daughter is a senior and at a top 20 B School and is currently interviewing for a job when she graduates next year. She is fortunate that there are still a lot of major companies coming on campus to hire students but I am sure that these recruiters are visiting other campuses as well. I am praying that she lands a job with a good career path but I am also being realistic about the situation. Not to get political, but I work with a lot of small businesses around the country (my customers - not in your area of expertise) and the general consensus is a wait and see with the impact of health care not fully known as well as the uncertainty with tax rates. As for California, if it wasn't for the Pacific Ocean and the great climate, this place would have been bankrupt years ago, IMO. It has to be the worst place to conduct business from a regulatory standpoint.

Just my two cents. Best of luck to you in your job search.

 

definitely check out what f20kills says. www.kp.org

They do offer a lot of entry level positions which do say 2+ years experience but two of my buddies entered in straight from college last year as Financial Analyst.

Keep applying everyday bud, dont' give up hope

 

Lakersfan - Which B-School does your daughter go to and are still recruiting at? Which companies/firms are campus recruiting? Good luck to her too!!

 

To the OP: I suggest you should NOT be too picky with your job position. What I meant is that let say a mid size company is looking for a position in data entry, and that company has alot of GROWTH opportunities within. I would suggest you jump on it and try to apply for that data entry job. When you already workin for them let say for about 6 months, you can try to apply for positions that you want within the company. Company tend to hire entry position within than hiring outside, because it's much cheaper for them. Once you get that analyst position you want, learn AS MUCH as you can and AS fast as you can, then you leave that company and apply for a much better paid analyst position outside.

I know this , because this was how I got into my accountant position. I started in customer service (with a B.A decree), and after proving to them that i'm a reliable employee, I then applied for the Jr. accountant position. After 2 years learning as much as I can from my boss, I left the company and got a much better paid experience job outside.